Hazard communication
The GHS in Uganda: a practical primer
The Globally Harmonized System is now the legal basis for chemical labels and Safety Data Sheets in Uganda. Here is what it covers in practice.
The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) is a United Nations system. It gives every country the same way of classifying chemical hazards and communicating them on labels and SDSs. The current edition is Revision 10 (2023). In Uganda, the Hazardous Chemicals Regulations, S.I. No. 21 of 2024 make GHS classification and labelling mandatory.
Three groups of hazards
| Group | Number of classes | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Physical hazards | 17 | Explosives; flammable gases, liquids and solids; oxidisers; gases under pressure; self-heating and self-reactive substances; organic peroxides; corrosive to metals; desensitised explosives |
| Health hazards | 10 | Acute toxicity; skin corrosion or irritation; serious eye damage; respiratory and skin sensitisation; germ cell mutagenicity; carcinogenicity; reproductive toxicity; specific target organ toxicity (single and repeated exposure); aspiration hazard |
| Environmental hazards | 2 | Hazardous to the aquatic environment; hazardous to the ozone layer |
Each class is divided into categories, and Category 1 is always the most severe. For example, Carcinogenicity Category 1A means a substance is known to cause cancer in humans; Category 2 means it is suspected of doing so.
How hazards are communicated
- Labels carry six elements: product identifier, pictogram(s), signal word ("Danger" or "Warning"), hazard statements (H-codes), precautionary statements (P-codes) and supplier details.
- Pictograms are black symbols in a red diamond. There are nine, covering explosives, flammables, oxidisers, gases under pressure, corrosives, acute toxicity, health hazards, irritants and the environment.
- Safety Data Sheets have 16 sections in a fixed order, from identification (Section 1) to other information (Section 16).
Why it matters on site. The GHS lets a worker read the same warning on a drum from any supplier. Its value is lost when chemicals are decanted into unlabelled containers, when labels are only in trade names, or when SDSs are missing or out of date.
What to do
- Train every chemical handler to read the six label elements and the nine pictograms.
- Check that supplier SDSs are in the 16-section GHS format.
- Label secondary containers with at least the product name, pictogram(s) and signal word.
- Keep a simple pictogram poster at stores and decanting points.
How INRC can help
INRC’s training teaches chemical handlers to read GHS labels, pictograms and Safety Data Sheets, using the products on your own site. Our occupational health and safety audits check labelling and SDS availability at every point of use. Contact us to discuss your site.
This article is general guidance, not legal advice. Check current legislation and regulations for your specific project.